I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Thursday 13 August 2015

Reliving the journey





Hello all, and a very warm welcome to you.

I'm still caught up in real-life work - hence my long absence around Craftyblogland - so I'm filling in here with a project which was originally shared over at The Artistic Stamper as part of my DT duties there.

Regulars will know I like to gather all my projects here at Words and Pictures, my virtual scrapbook, so if you commented the last time around, please don't feel you have to do so again.

Here's what I wrote about this journalling page at the time.

This page centres around a vintage photo and one of my favourite Katy Leitch flower stamps.  Cups of coffee at the ready?  Let's dive in...











I started by layering torn book pages and heavy gesso into a kraft-paper journal (still working through the pages carved out of my candle niche!).















The next step was some stamping... the Encyclopedia Botanica flower and one of my favourite Calligraphy Mats, number #4, stamped in Sepia, and with clear-embossing for the flower to give extra definition.











I then started playing around with ephemera and embellishments and it all came together without me really thinking very hard.

This wonderful young woman from the Darkroom Door Photobooth sheets was really the catalyst.











The determined set of her mouth and the humorous gleam in her eyes drew me to her at once.  Here's someone setting out into the world with her head screwed on straight and ready to pursue her desires.










She's layered up over some Tim Holtz ephemera, some shabby lace and some stained calico from when I did my last rusting session (a long time ago... there needs to be another one very soon).

The journey she takes will undoubtedly be full of twists and turns, but you can bet your bottom dollar she'll grit her teeth and come out smiling in the end.










This word from Journalling Words #2 seemed the right one for her.  The layers here include some more of the rusty calico as well as some tea and coffee-stained tissue paper.






You'll recognise the book page Frameworks Trellis pieces (they put in an appearance on my New Leaf tag as well as my Russian Love Is In The Air hanging)...













Here they've had lots of shading (with Inktense pencils and a water brush) to embed them in the page.













I found when I was looking at some of the photos that I couldn't make my eyes see them properly - they kept either sinking in to the page or sticking out - a sign that the shading for dimension is doing its job, I suppose.












It was while I was creating the shadows around the Frameworks and the other ephemera - with various blue and grey Inktense pencils - that I decided the flowers might look good with some "sky" around them.














I'm really pleased with how it makes the image pop.












The other elements which made an early appearance in the plans were the wooden butterflies.














I already like them in "naked" wood, but for this page I decided they should be crackled.














I used the Croco Crackling in White again (as on my last journalling page here).














And then added splodges of Black Soot, Gathered Twigs and Vintage Photo Distress Inks, wiping back and adding more until I was happy with the grungy look.













The little wooden buttons I did leave naked - though they did get caught in the splatter crossfire!













You'll have spotted the metal accents - some Idea-ology pieces that worked with my young woman... business like cogs and the Muse Token which is definitely hers by rights.  I sanded it back to give it an extra burnished glow.













So that's today's bit of fun.  The journalling does seem to have taken hold, and I'm enjoying the freedom it's giving me to play.  I'm hoping you're still enjoying the results!







Back to the present, and thank you so much for stopping by today.  There is honestly light at the end of the tunnel work-wise, so I hope to restore something approaching normal service here towards the end of the month.  For now, I'd just like to say thank you for all your lovely comments and feedback.  It's a joy to be on the journey with you all.

I soon realised that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.
Lilian Smith

34 comments:

Jenny Marples said...

So lovely to catch up with this beautiful spread with all it's varied textures and layers bringing it to life.Thinking of you as you beaver away furiously. Hopefully that respite will come soon. Jenny x

chrissie said...

So lovely that you found time to blog Alison and wonderful that you have chosen this terrific page from your journal with all the wonders that you bring to a project.

The quote has me thinking deeply and must ponder on that with what is happening in my life at the moment.

Enjoy whatever is keeping you busy

Love Chrissie xx

mamablitger said...

Thank you for sharing your lovely book cover. Love the end result and your mini tutorial. Lovely colors and lovely crackled butterflies.. Looks great !!!
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs from Monica... Spain

Lauren Hatwell said...

It's beautiful! A real smorgasbord of gorgeous details skillfully pulled together on one page. I think I missed this before so thanks for putting it here as well. Lx

Sophie said...

Wow!!!
Das sieht fantastisch aus...

Sophie xx

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Lots of wonderful elements in this page, Alison. I love it and its so inspiring! Love the stained pieces and that cracked butterfly!

Pamellia said...

STUNNING!! What a wonderful page Alison! I just love the vintage browns and blues, works so well with the newsprint and the wood accents! Love your little crackle butterfly, and the pieces of lattice added here and there! Stunning! hugs :)

Hazel Agnew said...

Really love the crackly butterfly, the stained calico and the melange of her possessions that take me on a journey! Have had to order more clear embossing after following you on your journey! X

Jennie Atkinson said...

Gorgeous Alison - it is always lovely to see your wonderful projects again, so never apologise! Wonderful textures and vintage hues. So glad you can see the light at the end of the tunnel - take care! Jennie x

A Pink said...

Gorgeous! Alison x

sam21ski said...

Oooh fabulous and I love that background xx

Juliz Design Post said...

Fab techniques and layers, loving the results especially your crackled butterflies.
Julie x

Unknown said...

My my my my myyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Alison - does this have everything but the kitchen sink or what???!!! It's just STUNNING. So many products, elements, textures, and wonderful coloring.... fantastic techniques and a great tutorial.... wow. Thanks bunches - loved seeing this. j.

Corrie Herriman said...

Wonderful page, Alison ! Great combination of stamping, texture and ephemera !
Corrie x

Redanne said...

Always happy to have a second look at any of your wonderful projects Alison! This one is beautiful, I just love the crackle on that gorgeous butterfly. I hope you get some time just for you - soon... Hugs, Anne xx

Heather said...

A stunning page Alison, super techniques to create so many layers, textures, colours and elements - love it!!

hugs
Heather xx

Meggymay said...

Good to see this one here, it has all your special touches and details. A fantastic page.
Yvonne xx

Donna Ellis said...

Thanks for sharing your fantastic journal page! Lilian, such rich colors and wonderful technique techniques!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you shared this fabulous page again Alison as I think I missed even seeing it last time! Love the layers and all the gorgeous texture, even on the little butterfly!

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Sandy said...

Hey Alison -- you really must love to design as your makes are always so well designed and full of interest. I feel like if I did this I would make a tacky mess. But not you kid - this page is full of texture and interest. Beautifully done! I may not know where I am going on the adventure but I sure do like the friends I meet along the way!!
Sandy xx

Terry said...

Oh Alison, this journal page is so filled with beauty! I love all the texture and soft colors along with all those layers. The crackled butterflies rock! Hugs and happy weekend!

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Beautiful with gorgeous textures and I can see why that is a much loved stamp.
Wishes
Lynne

Unknown said...

I love that stamp too. :) Your journal page is fantastic and I love how you designed it Alison. xx

Dorthe said...

Your journey is filled with amaxing experiences dear Alison, and so much to look at , and admire.
Your flowers in the blue sky, and the butterfly, crackled to perfection, all is so beautiful ,and ofcurse I`m in love with the rustic look!
Dorthe, xxoo

Anna-Karin said...

This is so beautiful Alison! Love all the textures, your favourite colours, the crackle pieces and wonderful design.

Anna-Karin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
pearshapedcrafting said...

Ooh! Spatter, crackle......this is altogether too beautiful! So pleased you are getting some play time! Chrisx

Deb said...

Beautiful page Alison, love your colour palette and all of those wonderful layered textures and your story about that lovely young girl brings it all together perfectly. Deb xo

Mrs.B said...

A beautiful page Alison, gorgeous colours, layers and textures and of course so many wonderful details to look at.
Love the crackle on the butterfly.
Avril xx

Jackie PN said...

Whether or not I commented before, let me say again that this page is stunning! xx

Matilde said...

What a stunning page! I love all the details! Hugs, M.

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful, so much detail and interest. xxx

Etsuko said...

Wonderful page Alison, beautiful scene and love the cracked butterflies. xx

Ruth said...

Not sure if I commented last time but this is such a beautifully detailed page it's worth saying again! Delightful Alison. Ruth x